Stabilizer for a shoe

ABSTRACT

A stabilizer for a shoe comprising a flat base portion adjustably secured to the bottom surface of the sole of the shoe forwardly of the heel thereof. A flat wing portion extends forwardly from the outer end of the base portion adjacent the outer edge of the sole. The stabilizer is reversible so that it may be used on either right or left shoes. Adjustable attachment means secures the base portion to the sole so that the base portion may be selectively tilted relative to horizontal and to the bottom surface of the shoe.

nite States Patent [191 Morris [451 Oct. 29, 1974 STABILIZER FOR A SHOE [76] Inventor: Harold H. Morris, 710 N. 72nd Ave., Omaha, Nebr. 68114 [22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 434,212

[52] US. Cl. 36/1 [51] Int. Cl. A43b [58] Field of Search 36/81, 82, 71.5, 1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,724,193 11/1955 McDermott 36/1 2,933,651 4/1960 Legge 36/1 3,337,972

8/1967 Stollman et al 36/1 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or FirmZarley, McKee, Thomte & Voorhees [57] ABSTRACT A stabilizer for a shoe comprising a flat base portion adjustably secured to the bottom surface of the sole of the shoe forwardly of the heel thereof. A flat wing portion extends forwardly from the outer end of the base portion adjacent the outer edge of the sole. The stabilizer is reversible so that it may be used on either right or left shoes. Adjustable attachment means secures the base portion to the sole so that the base portion may be selectively tilted relative to horizontal and to the bottom surface of the shoe.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 sTABiLIzEk FOR A SHOE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a stabilizer and more particularly to a stabilizer which may be selectively adjustably mounted on a shoe for those persons experiencing difficulty in walking due to a stroke or the like.

Persons who have experienced a stroke or the like ordinarily have great difficulty in walking during the rehabilitation process. The person not only experiences difficulty in maintaining forward stability when walking but also experiences lateral stabilitywhen attempting to walk or stand.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a stabilizer for a shoe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe or the like for those persons who have suffered a stroke or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stabi v lizer for a shoe which is reversible so that it may be used on either the right or left shoes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which provides forward and lateral stability.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which gives the proper support to the persons foot.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is adjustably secured to the shoe to enable the base portion of the stabilizer to be tilted relative to horizontal and to enable the base portion to be selectively vertically adjusted relative to the shoe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stabilizer for a shoe which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION'OF THE DRAWINGS This invention consists in the construction, arrangements andcombination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The stabilizer of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral which is adapted to be mounted on either a right or left shoe [2 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Stabilizer l0 generally comprises a base portion 14 having an inner end 16 and an outer end 18. Wing portion 20 extends forwardly from the outer end of base portion 14 and is progressively tapered from its rearward end to its forward end so as to have a narrow width at the forward end thereof.

Base portion 14 is provided with at least a pair of spaced apart threaded openings 22 and 24 formed therein adapted to receive screws 26 and 28 therein respectively. As seen in. FIG. 4, screws 26 and 28 extend downwardly from the interior of the shoe through the sole. The lower ends of the screws are threadably received by the openings 22 and 24. A plurality of washers 30 are mounted on each of the screws as seen in FIG. 4. The washers permit the base portion to be selectively vertically adjusted with respect to the sole and permit the base portion to be tilted relative to horizontal and to the sole if so desired. In other words, only three washers could be used on one of'the screws with five washers being used on the other of the screws so that the stabilizer would be tilted relative to the shoe.

The stabilizer is reversible to enable it to be used on either right or left shoes by simply turning the stabilizer over. If it is desired to move the wing portion 20 outwardly with respect to the shoe, it is simply necessary to drill another pair of spaced apart openings for attachment to the screws 26 and 28. The fact that the wing portion closely conforms to the outside edge of the sole prevents the wing portion from catching on some obstruction which could cause serious injury to the person utilizing the same. The device could be designed so as to eliminate the wing portion which would essentially provide only lateral stability for the shoe. The provision of the wing portion provides the required forward stability for the person which greatly assists the person in walking. The design of the stabilizer not only provides lateral stability and forward stability but also provides the necessary support for the foot itself.

Thus it can be seen that an improved stabilizer for a shoe has been provided which accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion being positioned in substantially the same plane as the bottom surface of said heel and having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole "for engagement with a supporting surface.

2. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and a flat wing portion extending forwardly from the outer end of said base portion. a

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said wing portion is positioned laterally of the outer edge of said sole.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said stabilizer is reversible so that said stabilizer may be used on either right or left shoes.

5. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and adjustable attachment means securing the inner and outer ends of said base portion to said sole.

said wing portion being progressively tapered from its rearward end to its forward end so that the forward end thereof has a width less than the rearward end thereof.

7. ln combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges,

a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole,

adjustable attachment means securing the inner and outer ends of said base portion to said sole,

said adjustable attachment means comprising a threaded fastener extending downwardly through said sole and being threadably secured to said base portion, and a plurality of removable washer elements mounted on said threaded fastener element between said sole and said base portion.

l l l 

1. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion being positioned in substantially the same plane as the bottom surface of said heel and having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface.
 2. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and a flat wing portion extending forwardly from the outer end of said base portion.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said wing portion is positioned laterally of the outer edge of said sole.
 4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said stabilizer is reversible so that said stabilizer may be used on either right or left shoes.
 5. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, said base portion having an outer end portion which is positioned outwardly of said outer edge of said sole for engagement with a supporting surface, and adjustable attachment means securing the inner and outer ends of said base portion to said sole.
 6. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, a flat wing portion extending forwardly from the outer end of said base portion, said wing portion being poSitioned laterally of the outer edge of said sole, said wing portion being progressively tapered from its rearward end to its forward end so that the forward end thereof has a width less than the rearward end thereof.
 7. In combination with a shoe comprising a sole and a heel having bottom surfaces and inner and outer edges, a flat stabilizer comprising a base portion secured to said sole forwardly of said heel and extending laterally outwardly therefrom outwardly of said outer edge of said sole, adjustable attachment means securing the inner and outer ends of said base portion to said sole, said adjustable attachment means comprising a threaded fastener extending downwardly through said sole and being threadably secured to said base portion, and a plurality of removable washer elements mounted on said threaded fastener element between said sole and said base portion. 